Ok I have a question...Can you doubles any identical tanks. I want to start diving doubles in the near future but would like to gradually buy the equipment because i am not made of money. Also Any good introduction classes that i would need. I am also in michigan and would like to find a good shop that would be willing to help me out.I would like to double some Aluminum 80's Just wondering if you could help me out with what tanks are better and what valves would be the best and bands ECT...Thanks
Doubles
- Thread starter DudleyNMU
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Al 80s make great doubles.
Manifold: http://www.diverssupplyusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16923
Bands:
http://www.diverssupplyusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16910
Manifold: http://www.diverssupplyusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16923
Bands:
http://www.diverssupplyusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16910
DudleyNMU:
If you don't have any problems with the weight do the ALs. With steels you could loose some weight from your belt or backplate. I'm using sometimes steel 2x6 ltrs 300bar (about 2x80s 4500psi or something like that) and need only 6lbs of lead compared to AL 80's doubled the lead would be needed around 20lbs..
in_cavediver
Contributor
DudleyNMU:
Simple rule of thumb:
Wetsuit - AL tanks are fine
Drysuit - Steel tanks are best
that said, you can dive steels in a wetsuit or Al in a drysuit you just have to adjust weights accordingly.
For me:
steel BP with Al 80's in a wetsuit = 0lbs added
steel BP with LP 104's in a drysuit = 0 lbs added (except in really cold water, then 2-4lbs)
Mike
Tod
Contributor
Yes you can do this but keep in mind that each tank will need to be visually inspected (annually) and hydro'd every five years. The hydro is based on five years from the time the tank was built/certified, not from the purchase date, and this will be indicated by a stamp on the tank. If your two tanks have separate dates stamped on them, or different visual dates, it will require you to break them down more frequently to have them inspected. The visual isn't as much of a problem because you can get them both inspected at the same time and get VIP dates into synch. Thus, it might be wise to get two tanks with the same date stamp.DudleyNMU:
Sideband
Guest
Tod:
Why would there be a problem doing this with a hydro? Send both tanks in and have them tested. You will just be testing one early. They will come back with the same date stamps and be in synch. Hydro testing, as I understand it, is a minimum of every 5 years. If I wanted to have my tanks hydro tested every year who would stop me besides my accountant?
Joe
Don Burke
Contributor
Yes. You can find someone to make bands for any tanks. 7.25 or 8.00 inch bands are pretty easy to come by. There are manifolds for both 3/4 and 5/8 necks. Resist the urge to mess with older manifolds and tanks.DudleyNMU:
Standard AL80s are a good start. You can always find some use for a standard AL80, even if it is to trade with a dive shop for something else.DudleyNMU:
Start thinking advanced Nitrox and decompression procedures. Nitrox is a given unless you are going to stay very shallow.DudleyNMU:
I have Sea Elite manifolds and I am very happy with them. Get the rubber knobs. I was not too sure about all of this, so I went for the 200 bar manifolds. Now I wish I had gone for 300 bar. Perhaps there is someone in you area looking to upgrade and they may sell you a 200 bar for a good price.DudleyNMU:
The guy I got my bands from is out of the business for the moment, but there are many others. Highland is well regarded.
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